Green sponge or steel wool?
Scotch-Brite launched sponge that is successful in the market, but is it the best sustainable option?
3M has developed a new type of all-purpose sponge, the Scotch-Brite Cleaning+Green. According to the manufacturer, the idea was to make a product that was more in line with the reality of the world, but maintaining the quality, efficiency of the sponge and its affordable price (around R$ 5 a pack with two units).
The sponge blanket is made of fiber from Curuará (Amazonian plant). The foam, on the other hand, has biopolyol (an element from soy). The product also contains soy-based solvent adhesive.
The Clean+Verde sponge was created in Sumaré-SP, in the Research & Development laboratory of 3M do Brasil. Due to the success of the model, other countries in Latin America are studying the sale of the item.
Packaging also has sustainable properties. They have 15% less plastic material, generating less waste, in addition to reducing the need for raw material.
eCycle review
This type of product is preferable to traditional sponges, made from petroleum-derived material and very difficult to recycle. Even so, give preference to steel wool, which is easy to decompose and does not cause significant damage to the environment, or vegetable bushings. The new greener multipurpose sponges have evolved, but not all materials in sponges are biodegradable or recyclable. Vegetable loofahs are biodegradable, have a longer shelf life and can even be used for washing dishes. See more here about vegetable bushings and their benefits.
